Finite element analysis of equine incisor teeth. Part 2: investigation of stresses and strain energy densities in the periodontal ligament and surrounding bone during tooth movement.
Abstract: This study investigated the hypothetical contribution of biomechanical loading to the onset of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) and to elucidate the physiological age-related positional changes of the equine incisors. Based on high resolution micro-computed tomography (μCT) datasets, 3-dimensional models of entire incisor arcades and the canine teeth were constructed representing a young and an old incisor dentition. Special attention was paid to constructing an anatomically correct model of the periodontal ligament (PDL). Using previously determined Young's moduli for the equine incisor PDL, finite element (FE) analysis was performed. Resulting strains, stresses and strain energy densities (SEDs), as well as the resulting regions of tension and compression within the PDL and the surrounding bone were investigated during occlusion. The results showed a distinct distribution pattern of high stresses and corresponding SEDs in the PDL and bone. Due to the tooth movement, peaks of SEDs were obtained in the PDL as well as in the bone on the labial and palatal/lingual sides of the alveolar crest. At the root, highest SEDs were detected in the PDL on the palatal/lingual side slightly occlusal of the root tip. This distribution pattern of high SEDs within the PDL coincides with the position of initial resorptive lesions in EOTRH affected teeth. The position of high SEDs in the bone can explain the typical age-related alteration of shape and angulation of equine incisors.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-10-14 PubMed ID: 24252223DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.10.010Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article focuses on studying the effect of biomechanical loading on the initiation of EOTRH (equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis) and understanding the normal age-related changes of equine incisors’ positioning, by utilizing Finite Element (FE) analysis with high resolution micro-CT datasets.
Construction of 3D Models
- The study involved creating 3-dimensional models of the incisor arcades and canine teeth for both younger and older dentition types, using high-resolution micro-CT datasets.
- Special attention was devoted to creating a highly accurate model of the periodontal ligament (PDL), the soft tissue that supports and surrounds the teeth.
Finite Element Analysis Process
- The elastic properties of the PDL were inputted, as previously determined through Young’s modulus (a measure of stiffness), and applied to the models.
- A Finite Element (FE) analysis was then conducted to identify the stress, strain and strain energy densities (SEDs) experienced by the PDL and surrounding bone during occlusion, the process of the upper and lower teeth coming together when the mouth is closed.
Observations and Conclusions
- The results revealed a distinct pattern of high stresses and associated SEDs in both the PDL and bone during occlusion.
- Due to tooth movement, peaks of SEDs were noticed in the PDL as well as in the bone on the labial (front) and palatal/lingual (back) sides of the alveolar crest, the bony ridge that holds the teeth in place.
- At the tooth root, the highest SEDs were detected in the PDL on the palatal/lingual side, slightly above the root tip. These findings of SED distribution within the PDL align with the initial sites of resorptive lesions in EOTRH affected teeth.
- The positions of high SEDs found in the bone provides a feasible explanation for the typical age-related alteration in both the shape and angulation of equine incisors.
- Fundamentally, these findings suggest that biomechanical loading could potentially contribute to the onset of EOTRH in equine incisors.
Cite This Article
APA
Schrock P, Lüpke M, Seifert H, Staszyk C.
(2013).
Finite element analysis of equine incisor teeth. Part 2: investigation of stresses and strain energy densities in the periodontal ligament and surrounding bone during tooth movement.
Vet J, 198(3), 590-598.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.10.010 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute for General Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, D-30173 Hannover, Germany; Institute of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, D-30173 Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: patricia.schrock@tiho-hannover.de.
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Cadaver
- Elastic Modulus
- Finite Element Analysis
- Horses / physiology
- Hypercementosis / etiology
- Hypercementosis / physiopathology
- Hypercementosis / veterinary
- Incisor / physiology
- Periodontal Ligament / physiology
- Tooth Mobility / etiology
- Tooth Mobility / physiopathology
- Tooth Mobility / veterinary
- Tooth Resorption / etiology
- Tooth Resorption / physiopathology
- Tooth Resorption / veterinary
- X-Ray Microtomography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Wright AL, Earley ET, Austin C, Arora M. Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH): microspatial distribution of trace elements in hypercementosis-affected and unaffected hard dental tissues. Sci Rep 2023 Mar 28;13(1):5048.
- Kau S, Motter KS, Moser VJ, Kunz JR, Pellachin M, Hartl B. Intra- and Interexaminer Measurement Variability Analysis of an Orthodontic Gauge Device to Determine Incisor Occlusal Surface Angles in the Horse. Vet Sci 2022 Sep 7;9(9).
- Albers L, Bienert-Zeit A, Staszyk C. Equine Incisor Lesions: Histologic Confirmation of Radiographic, Macroscopic, and Micro-Computed Tomographic Findings. Vet Sci 2022 Jul 11;9(7).
- Kau S, Failing K, Staszyk C. Computed Tomography (CT)-Assisted 3D Cephalometry in Horses: Interincisal Angulation of Clinical Crowns. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:434.
- Pöschke A, Krähling B, Failing K, Staszyk C. Molecular Characteristics of the Equine Periodontal Ligament. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:235.
- Wei J, Liu CJ, Li Z. ADAMTS-18: a metalloproteinase with multiple functions. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2014 Jun 1;19(8):1456-67.
- Ostmeier M, Schellenberger F, Troillet A, Scharner D. Forces on the Incisor Teeth During Odontoplasty of the Cheek Teeth in Sedated Horses. J Vet Dent 2025 Nov;42(6):444-450.
- Nugent Z, Jensen A, Owen N, Peffers AJ, Moothanchery M, Peffers MJ. Characterisation of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis: A comparative study using microCT and radiography in age-matched controls. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):1099-1109.
- Borowska M, Jasiński T, Gierasimiuk S, Pauk J, Turek B, Górski K, Domino M. Three-Dimensional Segmentation Assisted with Clustering Analysis for Surface and Volume Measurements of Equine Incisor in Multidetector Computed Tomography Data Sets. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Nov 2;23(21).
- Sterkenburgh TR, Hartl B, Peham C, Nowak M, Kyllar M, Kau S. Temporomandibular joint biomechanics and equine incisor occlusal plane maintenance. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023;11:1249316.
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